Compared to today, there are some obvious differences between the early newspapers of the past
and the modern readings we see today. Not only have the structure and design of the media changed greatly, (i.e, color, pictures, etc.), but the content has grown. Local news is more in depth, closely following the lives of interesting people and updating the community on marriages, deaths, births and events. National news has grown outside of the circle that was Great Britain, France, America and Canada, and now includes significant going-on's of countries around the world. Online news can also include videos, audio, and graphics that allow readers to view information as an experience and not just a an article on a page.
Publik Occurences was forced to shut down because they were critical of the government. I am relieved that the government today does not have this power over the press, and if one were to suggest we revert back to these old ways, I would disagree. The freedom of the press and capability to voice our opinions and report news that changes people's perspective on things is vital for a prosperous society. We look to papers and news sites for unbiased facts and strong, controversial opinion pieces, for light-hearted stories about animals and wedding anniversaries, and devastating reports about natural disasters or crimes. If the government were to take control of the media, these would be lost. Facts could be disguised in a knot of lies, sites taken down due to conflicts and controversy with the government, or telling the world something they didn't want people to see.
Yet many newspapers today can be critical of the government, businesses, etc, but still continue to publish. Newspapers are allowed to do this because they are protected by the Freedom of the Press. This is what prevents the government from closing newspapers and other media sites. We are allowed a difference of opinion, and just because those who's opinion we disagree with came from a man in a suit, it does not mean that right is taken away. Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of press, is what I think allows a community of people, whether that be a city, a country, or the world as a whole, to move forward. A widening of perspective is important, which is what the job of the press is to do.
I was not surprised to find out that the first newspaper in Canada was in Halifax. Halifax was one of the first cities to be established. It was a bustling port where new people came through every day, bringing with them news and stories from the places they've been. If anything this makes perfect sense. I would be more surprised if the first Canadian newspaper were to be somewhere else. As a maritimer, it also makes me proud that this is where the press of our country began.
and the modern readings we see today. Not only have the structure and design of the media changed greatly, (i.e, color, pictures, etc.), but the content has grown. Local news is more in depth, closely following the lives of interesting people and updating the community on marriages, deaths, births and events. National news has grown outside of the circle that was Great Britain, France, America and Canada, and now includes significant going-on's of countries around the world. Online news can also include videos, audio, and graphics that allow readers to view information as an experience and not just a an article on a page.
Publik Occurences was forced to shut down because they were critical of the government. I am relieved that the government today does not have this power over the press, and if one were to suggest we revert back to these old ways, I would disagree. The freedom of the press and capability to voice our opinions and report news that changes people's perspective on things is vital for a prosperous society. We look to papers and news sites for unbiased facts and strong, controversial opinion pieces, for light-hearted stories about animals and wedding anniversaries, and devastating reports about natural disasters or crimes. If the government were to take control of the media, these would be lost. Facts could be disguised in a knot of lies, sites taken down due to conflicts and controversy with the government, or telling the world something they didn't want people to see.
Yet many newspapers today can be critical of the government, businesses, etc, but still continue to publish. Newspapers are allowed to do this because they are protected by the Freedom of the Press. This is what prevents the government from closing newspapers and other media sites. We are allowed a difference of opinion, and just because those who's opinion we disagree with came from a man in a suit, it does not mean that right is taken away. Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of press, is what I think allows a community of people, whether that be a city, a country, or the world as a whole, to move forward. A widening of perspective is important, which is what the job of the press is to do.
I was not surprised to find out that the first newspaper in Canada was in Halifax. Halifax was one of the first cities to be established. It was a bustling port where new people came through every day, bringing with them news and stories from the places they've been. If anything this makes perfect sense. I would be more surprised if the first Canadian newspaper were to be somewhere else. As a maritimer, it also makes me proud that this is where the press of our country began.
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